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1/2/2014

Reflections on 2013...

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At the end of 2013, I find myself gathering thoughts about the past year, while looking forward to the new year with a spirit of optimism and anticipation. Two thousand and thirteen was the year that we completed renovation of The Barn at Beech Springs Farm. The year was filled with events pertaining to its renovation, as well the debut of garden and wedding parties at the farm.

I am reminded how grateful we are to the workers who helped us with the renovation and the township officials who were so supportive, the people who were members of our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and the endearing couples married here.   I am equally grateful for the relationships initiated with local vendors and lastly… Kiah, Kathy, Stephanie, daughter Jennifer and grand-daughters, Marissa, Kennedy and Amelia, who helped make all of it possible.

This was such a busy year; looking back I wonder how we were able to accomplish everything that we did.  In addition to the weekly distribution of produce to our twenty CSA families from early May thru the end of October and seven weddings, we also hosted a number of events for the community.

In June we were honored to have the Plein Air artists from the Gettysburg Festival visit us once again. Over the past four years the artists have been here many times and a number of their paintings adorn our home. In October, we hosted the Civil War Barn Dance organized by Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC). This was the second time that we hosted the dance and it is one of our all-time favorite events.

In recognition of our efforts to preserve our barn for future generations, HGAC presented us with the 2013 Barn Preservation Award at their annual dinner in May.

Two dinners that benefited local organizations – Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and the Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center were also held at the farm. The dinners were auction items offered by each organization for their respective fundraisers. The Strawberry Hill dinner, prepared by Jayne, featured seasonal produce from our garden as well as the bounty from other Adams County farms. The Children’s Advocacy dinner was a collaboration between the Gettysburg Wyndham and Beech Springs Farm. Chef Claude Rodier and his wonderful staff from the Wyndham prepared dinner for twelve in our kitchen and served it on the patio to our special guests. In September, the Shippensburg Garden Club enjoyed lunch in the barn and a tour of the farm's gardens and the Chambersburg Quilt Guild held their monthly quilting bee here.

I’ve never kept a guest log of the number of people who have passed through the farm over the past five years, but a rough estimate would put the number around two thousand. When we originally purchased our farm, I wondered how we would be able to share such a special gift with others. Over the years, opportunities have evolved, whether planned or serendipitous, and we have been blessed to share our special treasure with many. Our beautiful Goldens, Taylor and Paige have had the privilege to be the special greeters for every guest.

The ongoing relationship with our CSA members and the couples who choose our farm for their wedding, is a gift that not only sustains the farm, but also provides us with wonderful personal connections that we cherish. This is the most important reason why we have decided to bring our barn up to code and develop the farm in the manner that we have.

Our hope for the New Year, along with practicing more creativity and sustainability at the farm, is to spend more time and effort reaching out, connecting and engaging with our friends, neighbors and our ever-growing Beech Springs Farm family.   We thank each and every one of you for sharing your lives and special occasions with us and wish you all a blessed, happy and healthy New Year.

With special thanks,

Jayne, Bill, Taylor and Paige

12/31/2013